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Identifying Unknown Plants/What is this plant?

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Expert: Trey Tarrant - 10/4/2008


Question

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I found this 'berry plant' growing in a partially cleared area on my property. I had noticed it when it was in bloom, but forgot about it. (I don't remember what the flowers looked like. It is quite large 5-6 feet tall. The stems would remind you of bamboo. It is really quite beautiful! I wondered about trying to move it. I live in Southern Maine.

Answer
The picture is a little fuzzy, but I'm pretty sure that's what we in the south call a polk weed, or polk salad, Phytolacca americana.  It's a native perennial that is very poisonous, though some people still eat its leaves by repeatedly boiling it to remove the toxins.  I don't recommend this.  You could probably move it by digging up the roots after the top dies in the first frost, though it is considered a weed by most people.

Trey

Identifying Unknown Plants

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Volunteer

Trey Tarrant

Expertise

I can answer questions about plant identification, plant care, plant pest management, landscaping, and general gardening questions. Please post a picture of the plant you wish to identify, if possible. If you say something like, "I've got this plant and it's green with long leaves and white flowers" and do not include a picture, chances are I won't be able to help you. I may not be able to help with plants that are not grown in the Southeast/ Eastern US, but you're welcome to try me.

Experience

Landscaping for 10 years. Horticulture Instructor at Lawson State Community College for 7 years.

Education/Credentials
M.S. in Horticulture from Auburn University.

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